Gaylene Marie Park

Gaylene Marie Park, age 61, passed away on July 28, 2026. She was born on May 26, 1965, in Gardena, California. Gaylene lived in Huntington Beach, California; Park City, Utah; and Stanton, California. She graduated from Huntington Beach High School.

Gaylene, at her core, had a genuinely kind heart. She loved people and the ocean. She worked as a waitress at Longboards by the Beach, where she caught up with her surfing buddies and hit the waves right after work. She took great pride in being the first female curbside baggage attendant for Southwest Airlines. Gaylene was also a gifted entertainer who shared her love for music by playing guitar and singing at weddings, parties, dinner shows, and concerts. From outhitting the boys in Little League softball to carving up waves surfing, her energy was unmatched.

She was preceded in death by her father in 2002. She is survived by her loving mother, her brother and sister-in-law, and two nieces. In lieu of flowers, to honor her legacy, please consider supporting charitable organizations dedicated to Mental Healthcare and Homeless communities.

                               EULOGY ------

We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Gaylene Marie Park. Gaylene was a vibrant soul, a gifted musician, a trailblazer, and a true lover of the ocean. She had some real rough years but never lost her perciverence to push through and overcome obsticles in front of her. She left us too soon on July 28, 2026, at the age of 61. But the memories we have and the warmth of her spirit will remain with us forever.
Born in Gardena, California, on May 26, 1965, Gaylene brought joy, music, and an undeniable energy to every community she called home. Although at times, that energy, as we all know, could be very challenging. Whether it was the perfect waves and sun-drenched shores of Huntington Beach, the snowy peaks and summer hiking trails of Park City, Utah, or the familiar streets of Stanton, California, Gaylene left an indelible mark on everyone she met.She grew up with a natural athletic talent and a competitive fire. As a child playing Little League softball, she turned heads and made headlines by regularly outhitting the boys and launching tape measure home runs. She carried that same fierce, independent spirit into her adult life, stubborn as ever. Anyone who met Gaylene has experienced this stubbornness one way or another.Gaylene broke barriers professionally by becoming the very first female curbside baggage attendant for Southwest Airlines. It wasn't just a job; she proudly paved the way for future generations of women within the company, proving that no boundary could hold her back. I witnessed the following myself just a few years ago, when traveling on Southwest, and until the day she passed, she would make a point to introduce herself to every Southwest baggage attendant & ticket counter employee and some of them would know her by name simply from reputation and being that trailblazer. She was like a celebrity. It was something that I really had no idea its level of importance to Southwest until I saw how many "strangers" knew of her, shook her hand, and were genuinely happy she said hi to them. But to truly know Gaylene was to know her love for the ocean and her deep passion for people. After graduating from Huntington Beach High School, she became a beloved fixture in the local beach community. As a waitress at Longboards by the Beach, she was in her absolute element. It wasn't just about serving food; it was about connection and getting to know every customer by name. The job allowed her to chat with her surfing buddies and, most importantly, gave her quick, easy access to the water. The moment her shift ended, you could find her out on the waves, completely at peace with the ocean she loved so dearly.Above all else, Gaylene’s heart beat to the rhythm of music. She was a naturally gifted entertainer, a talented guitarist, a beautiful singer, and a passionate songwriter. Music was her way of sharing her soul with the world. Whether she was playing an intimate party, a joyful wedding, a dinner show, or a crowded concert, Gaylene lit up every room she walked into belting out 4 non-Blondes, Doby Grey, or an original song she wrote. She had a rare gift for bringing people together through her songs and her laughter.Gaylene has now been reunited with her beloved father, who preceded her in death in 2002, her grandparents and other extended family that have passed in recent years. Her memory will be cherished forever by her surviving mother, her brother and sister-in-law, her two adored nieces, and a vast, beautiful network of extended family, friends, musicians, and surfing buddies.Gaylene lived her life her way, there's no disputing that — bold, rhythmic, and full of emotion. As we say our goodbyes today, let us catch one last wave for her, listen a little closer to the music, and carry her vibrant spirit forward in our own lives.Rest in peace, Gaylene. Your melody plays on.